LEXINGTON, Ky.?The University of Kentucky women?s swimming and diving team used a lifetime best swim from sophomore Megan Pulskamp, and wins on both boards in a valiant effort en route to a loss to Florida, 167-132, at the Lancaster Aquatic Center Thursday.
Pulskamp topped her own personal best time in the 200-butterfly in her second-place finish this afternoon in a time of 2:01.45. Her previous top mark was set at 2:02.55 at the 2007 SEC Championships. The sophomore impressively also enjoyed outstanding swims in the relay events and in the 200-individual medley, placing third.
On the boards, Kentucky saw senior Kari Retrum take the one-meter event and reigning SEC Diver of the Week Jessie Snowden continue her hot start with a win on the three-meter. Retrum posted a 289.12 score on the one-meter, besting her nearest competitor by 11 points. Snowden jumped out to a quick start in the three-meter, and ended up topping her own personal-best mark of 308.80, with a 319.64 score in today?s meet. Retrum finished second to her teammate with a score of 308.93.
The Blue and White jumped out to an early lead thanks to a thrilling 400-medley relay. Florida?s ?A? squad took an early lead in the backstroke leg, but the likes of Lindsay Myhre in the breaststroke and Heather Bradford in the butterfly legs saw the home squad pull closer heading into the final 100-yards. Jenny Bradford took off from the block about a half-of-a-body length behind Florida?s Elizabeth Kemp. Bradford brought it home for the Wildcats, as they finished in a time of 3:45.77, just a touch of a finger behind the Gators. However, the judges would rule that the Gator women disqualified during the event leaving the Wildcats with the 11-point first place finish.
Myhre would aide the Wildcats cause with a second-place performance in the 100-breaststroke touching in a time of 1:04.64. Kentucky then leaned on the depth of the sprint group for a 1-2 finish in the 50-freestyle heading into the first diving event. Jenny Bradford inched ahead of her sister Heather Bradford to take the first two slots on the board in times of 23.10 and 23.46, respectively. Sophomore Sydney Witzky earned a fourth-place finish in the short freestyle sprint earning quality points for UK. Witzky clocked in 24.57.
After Kentucky watched Retrum earn a victory for the home team, Kentucky emerged in the 100-freestyle event in the top four spots. Jenny Bradford, freshman Jenna Newsome, Witzky and senior Beth Parsons took the event with a sweep. The women finished in times of 51.74, 52.28, 52.77, and 52.96.
Heather Bradford followed suit with a dominating victory in the 100-butterfly. Bradford topped the field by more than a second, when she tapped in 55.37.
Sophomores Casey Miller and Pulskamp placed second and third in the 200-individual medley, as Kentucky showed the strength of their youth. Miller clocked in 2:07.54, and Pulskamp earned a 2:10.85 time.
The Wildcats finished on a high-note handedly beating the visiting Gators in the 200-free relay. Heather Bradford, Newsome, senior Lauren Willis and Jenny Bradford claimed the event in a time of 1:33.20.
The men and women will both be in action on Saturday, when they travel to Louisville for an intrastate meeting. Meet time is slated for a 2:00 p.m. start.
